Compassionate care—let’s nurture healthy habits
The Olive Tree Weight Loss Program
A different approach to health and wellness
A comprehensive, personalized weight loss plan—all through the convenience of telemedicine
What to Expect
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Understand Your Needs
At your initial visit, we will review your health history, lifestyle, and weight loss goals. If you have not had recent labs, we will obtain labwork to fully assess your health.
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Create a Personalized Plan
Your treatment plan is tailored to fit your unique needs. We will set realistic and achievable goals for nutrition and exercise. We can connect you with resources such as dietitians in the community. We will also address other factors that can impact weight such as mental health, stress, and sleep. I also coordinate with your primary care doctor or specialists if needed.
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Explore Weight Loss Medications
For some, medications may be a helpful tool alongside lifestyle changes. We can help you determine if a medication may be right for you. We discuss how they work, potential side effects, and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
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Continued Support & Guidance
At each follow up visit, we will track your progress, provide ongoing support, and adjust your plan. We can help you troubleshoot obstacles, navigate plateaus, and keep you motivated. If you are on a medication, we will make adjustments if needed and monitor for side effects.
Fees & Payment
Initial Visit
1 hour telemedicine visit to review your health history and goals, and get you started on your personalized weight management treatment plan.
60 mins | $150 | Get started
Follow up visits
1 hour telemedicine follow up visit to track your progress and adjust your treatment plan if needed. In the beginning, I will typically see you once a month if we are actively working on weight loss and titrating a medication. If we are making good progress and have found the medication regimen that works for you, we can spread out our visits to every 3 months.
60 mins | $100 | Get started
Payment
Our clinic is self-pay only for visits and we choose not to participate as “in-network” with any insurance company. We accept all major credit cards and HSA/FSA. Your payment is processed at the end of each visit. We can provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance to request reimbursement should you choose. We partner with Quest for labs, and you may use your insurance for your labs.
Resources for Medications
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Use the Lilly Direct pharmacy
For self pay:
349$ for 2.5 mg weekly dose (1 month supply of 4 vials)
499$ for 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg weekly doses (1 month supply of 4 vials)
If you have insurance coverage for zepbound, you may pay as little as 25$ a month for the injection pens using a savings card (can use with Lilly Direct or your local pharmacy).
https://lillydirect.lilly.com/pharmacy/zepbound -
Use the NovoCare pharmacy
For self pay:
499$ for 1 month supply of 4 injection pens
If you have insurance coverage for wegovy you may pay as little as 0$ for a 1 month supply using a savings card (use your local pharmacy).https://www.novocare.com/obesity/products/wegovy/get-product.html
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Use the Qsymia Engage Program through Medvantx home delivery pharmacy
For self pay:
98$ for 6 week new patient pack, 6 week titration pack, or 30 day prescriptions
Use Costco
115$ for a 30 day prescription if you are a Costco member.
If your insurance covers Qsymia, you may pay as little as 70$ for a 30 day supply using a savings card at your local pharmacy. -
Use the CurAccess Program through Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy
For self pay:
99$ per month
If you have insurance coverage for contrave you may pay as little as 20$ a month using a savings card (use at your local pharmacy). -
For self pay:
15$ for a 30 day prescription using the Lo-Cost Access Program savings card (use your local pharmacy).
This information was compiled as a helpful resource for patients . Prices and deals may vary. I do not receive any compensation from pharmaceutical companies for prescribing these medications.
Last updated: 7/29/25
FAQs
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Our program is for age 18 and up. We are happy to tailor a program to fit your needs, whether you are just getting started with weight loss, or have already lost weight and need help with maintaining weight loss. We also love to help with patients who have had bariatric surgery and need help with maintaining weight loss long-term.
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Yes, at this time our visits are telehealth only.
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Yes, because Dr Merli is licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, you must be physically located in North Carolina at the time of your visit.
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No, the fee is for the visit and does not include weight loss medication.
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While we do not bill your insurance for your visit, you can use your insurance for labs and medications. We can also provide a superbill, which is an itemized receipt that you can submit to your insurance to try to get reimbursed for your visit fee.
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I do not prescribe compounded medications. They are not FDA regulated, and I worry that they pose a potential safety risk to patients. Patient well being and safety are my priority.
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Yes! Please see the medication resources page. We can try mail order pharmacies or savings cards to bring down the cost of medication.
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No, you do not need a referral.